Title
Engineering Design Standards
Proposed Motion
1. That Council accept the updated 2014 Engineering Design Standards as information.
2. Council approve that all development construction occurring after January 1, 2015 be required to comply with the new 2014 Engineering Design Standards.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion and the updated 2014 Engineering Design Standards
Purpose
It important that acceptable and consistent standards are applied as Developers, Contractors and Parkland County staff design and build new infrastructure.
The current "Subdivision Development and Engineering Standards Manual (1999)" needed to be updated to reflect current practices in the Capital Region. Engineering Services has updated the standards and replaced the current manual with the "Engineering Design Standards (2014)".
Summary
During the process, Engineering Services hired a consultant to provide services for the review and update of the standards. The scope of work was to:
· Review existing, bylaws, planning documents and development agreements.
· Review current standards and drawings and provide background/research from other municipalities for recommendations made.
· Review current policies to be added to the standards.
· Review and compare other Municipalities standards in the capital region.
· Update the standards and drawings.
The overall changes to the Engineering Design Standards are:
· Details have been added to clarify the existing standards and remove any ambiguity that may have been identified over the use of the current document.
· Changes have been made to reflect recent studies completed by Parkland County in the areas of Transportation and Storm Water Management.
· Changes to reflect current practices in the Capital Region.
· All changes have been compared to other Municipalities to ensure that they are consistent with the current practices within the region. (Strathcona County, Leduc County, Sturgeon County, Spruce Grove, City of Edmonton, Wood Buffalo,. Red Deer County, Yellowhead County, Rockyview County, Wheatland County, MD of Opportunity, County of Athabasca and County of Wetaskiwin)
Prior to implementing these new standards, Engineering Services requested developer/stakeholder feedback to ensure the standards reflected the best interest for County owned, operated and maintained infrastructures. This feedback was obtained in two ways; the Engineering Design Standards were posted on Parkland County's website January 20, 2014 and notices were sent out to all developers and their engineers requesting their feedback, a stakeholder workshop was held on April 23, 2014 in which a facilitator assisted in receiving input from the development community.
All comments, concerns and recommended changes were reviewed and appropriate and final changes were made to the standards.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Strategic Plan: Infrastructure Goal 1: Parkland County develops and maintains high quality infrastructure that will ensure sustainable growth and quality of life.
Financial Impact:
Cost: N/A
Source of Funding: N/A